Reversal learning and neophobia test results in Chimango Caracaras

In this study, we analyzed the variation in cognitive flexibility in the Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango), across areas with different levels of urbanization. To assess this, we utilized the reversal learning assay which measures the ability to adapt behavior in response to changes in environmental contingencies. We also investigated the impact of neophobia on this variation. All chimangos studied succeeded in acquiring a color-reward association and reverting this learned association when the contingencies changed. Urban chimangos were faster than their rural and suburban counterparts during the initial discrimination and reversal phases. The reversal phase proved to be the most challenging task. The analysis of the errors made during this phase revealed that acquiring a new association (i.e., regressive errors) was challenging for the individuals studied, in comparison to inhibiting a previously learned one (i.e., perseverative errors). Neophobia was found to be lower in urban ind..., Data was collected from video recordings of the experiments and uploaded to Excel sheets to their posterior arrangements for statistical analyses., , This README file was generated on 2023-04-28 by Kara Leimberger.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Dataset: Data from reversal learning and neophobia test results in Chimango Caracaras.

2. Author Information:

Principal Investigator Contact Information

Laura Marina Biondi.

Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), UNMdP - CONICET,

B7602GSD Mar del Plata, Argentina.

E-mail [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])

1. Date of data collection (single date, range, approximate date): March and August (non-breeding period) 2019

2. Geographic location of data collection: Partido de General Pueyrredon, Buenos Aires, Argentina

3. Links to publications that cite or use the data:

L M Biondi, A Medina, E A Bonetti, C A Paterlini, M S Bó. 2024. Cognitive flexibility in a generalist raptor: a comparative analysis along an urbanization gradient. Behavioral Ecology, [https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arae025](https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arae025)

DATA-SPECIFIC INFOR...